Fiber optic housing with removable chassis and method using same

Abstract

A fiber optic housing has a low part count, with all major parts formed by cutting, stamping or bending sheet metal, and with very few fasteners, reducing cost and simplifying assembly of the housing. In spite of the simplified construction, the housing retains great flexibility in the installation of the fibers and associated connectors, primarily due to the provision of a unique chassis which is completely removable from the housing, as well as a backplane frame which is further removable from the chassis. A novel bulkhead plate, and method of attachment thereof to the frame, are also disclosed. The chassis may have a drop center floor to more efficiently utilize space and yet still provide curved surfaces for the smooth exiting of the fibers from the housing.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device for managing a plurality of interconnections of optical fiber cables, comprising: a housing constructed of top and bottom halves, said top half being substantially identical to said bottom half, and detachable therefrom, each of said halves having a generally rectangular base With two opposite ends, and two sidewalls formed at said ends, respectively, said sidewalls extending generally orthogonal to said base, each sidewall on one of said halves being attached to an opposing sidewall on another of said halves, said housing further having a rear end and a front end;   means located in said housing for supporting a plurality of fiber optic interconnection devices;   a rear panel member attached to said housing at said rear end;   a front panel member attached to said housing at said front end, said front panel being movable between a closed position and an open allowing access to an interior portion of said housing; and   means for mounting said housing on an exterior support member.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a chassis member located in said inner portion of said housing, said supporting means being attached to said chassis member. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said housing halves are constructed from a single sheet of metal bent to form said base and sidewalls. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 1 wherein respectively opposed pairs of said sidewalls form a generally linear interface lying approximately half-way between said base of said top half and said base of said bottom half. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 1 wherein each of said front and rear panels are generally rectangular. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 2 wherein said chassis member includes means for securing said top and bottom halves of said housing together. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 2 further comprising a frame member removably attached to said chassis member, said supporting means including at least one bulkhead member removably attached to said frame member. 
     
     
       8. The device of claim 2 wherein said chassis member is removably attached to said housing. 
     
     
       9. The device of claim 7 wherein said bulkhead member is a generally rectangular plate having first and second ends, said first end having means for attachment to a lower portion of said frame member without the need for a separate fastener, and said second end having fastening means for releasably securing the second end to an upper portion of said frame member. 
     
     
       10. The device of claim 7 wherein: said chassis member has a floor with two opposite ends and two upright members at said ends, extending generally orthogonal to said floor; and   said frame member is generally rectangular with two ends, has a length which is approximately equal to the distance between said upright members, and is removably secured to said chassis by frictional engagement of said ends of said frame member with said upright members.   
     
     
       11. A device for managing a plurality of interconnections of optical fiber cables, comprising: a housing having a rear end, a front end and an interior portion, and constructed of a bottom portion and a top portion which is detachable from said bottom portion;   a chassis member located in said interior portion of said housing and removably attached thereto, said chassis member including means for securing said top and bottom portions of said housing together;   means, attached to said chassis member, for supporting a plurality of fiber optic interconnection devices;   a rear panel member attached to said housing at said rear end;   a front panel member attached to said housing at said from end, said from panel being movable between a closed position and an open allowing access to an interior portion of said housing; and   means for mounting said housing on an exterior support member.   
     
     
       12. The device of claim 11 wherein said housing is constructed of top and bottom halves, said top half being identical to said bottom half, and detachable therefrom, each of said halves having a generally rectangular base with two opposite ends, and two sidewalls formed at said ends, respectively, said sidewalls extending generally-orthogonal to said base, and a sidewall on one of said halves being attached to an opposing sidewall on another of said halves. 
     
     
       13. The device of claim 11 further comprising a frame member located in said interior portion of said housing and removably attached to said chassis, said supporting means including at least one bulkhead member removably attached to said frame member. 
     
     
       14. The device of claim 13 wherein: said chassis member has a floor with two opposite ends and two upright members at said ends, extending generally orthogonal to said floor; and   said frame member is generally rectangular with two ends, has a length which is approximately equal to the distance Between said upright members, and is removably secured to said chassis by frictional engagement of said ends of said frame member with said upright members.   
     
     
       15. A method of installing an interconnected pair of optical fibers, comprising the steps of: obtaining a fiber optic housing which includes a bottom portion,   a top portion which is detachable from said bottom portion, and   a chassis member located in an interior portion of said housing and removably attached thereto;     removing said chassis member from said housing, said top portion of said housing being detached from said bottom portion prior to said removing of said chassis member;   interconnecting said pair of optical fibers with an interconnection device;   mounting said interconnection device to said chassis member;   replacing said chassis member in said housing; and   reattaching said top portion of said housing to said bottom portion of said housing after replacing said chassis in said housing.   
     
     
       16. The method of claim 15 wherein said housing further includes a frame attached to said chassis member, and said mounting step is achieved by: fastening said interconnection device to a bulkhead member; and   attaching said bulkhead member to said frame member.